# Help Me Identify This Waterfowl
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643
**Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
**Created:** [November 17, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643 "2003-11-17T04:25:31Z")
**Posts on this page:** 7
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 4:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/1 "2003-11-17T04:25:31Z")
Today **Rico** and I went to a park a few blocks from our apartment. We sat on a park bench and watched the birds in the lake. There were your usual Mallards, Seagulls, and White “Aflac Ducks”, and we think a crane. There was also a bird we didn’t recognize. Please point me to a site that I can refer to to identify birds as we explore our new location.
I’m thinking there must be a place on line that you can look at pictures and see if they match up but I can’t find it. I’m not experienced in birdwatching but would like to learn more about them as we explore.
This particular bird was black, short yellow beak, 3 toes (not webbed - green/blue striped).
And, what can I feed them?
Thanks.
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### Author:  [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/2 "2003-11-17T04:27:18Z")
Mods:
**Rico** just pointed out that this belongs in GQ. Sorry. If it needs to be moved, please feel free.
Kathy
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### Author:  [@Calliope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Calliope)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/3 "2003-11-17T05:43:53Z")
Try [enature.com](http://enature.com)
Incidentally, the only N. American bird I can think of that is black with a yellow beak is the [European Starling.](http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/showSpeciesGS.asp?curGroupID=1&searchText=starling&curPageNum=2&recnum=BD0244)
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### Author:  [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)
#### Post date: [November 17, 2003, 5:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/4 "2003-11-17T05:51:32Z")
Not European Starling. His body was much rounder. I’m off to look at that site now. Thanks
Kathy
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### Author:  [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2003, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/5 "2003-11-20T03:40:47Z")
We went back to the park and took pictures. My memory doesn’t work well. The undentified waterfowl doesn’t have a yellow beak. It’s white. And the most unusual feet. They aren’t webbed. Take a look [here.](http://www.wayman.us/greer.html)
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### Author:  [@viking](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/viking)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2003, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/6 "2003-11-20T07:03:54Z")
That would be an American Coot (Fulica americana)
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### Author:  [@cadolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cadolphin)
#### Post date: [November 20, 2003, 7:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-identify-this-waterfowl/213643/7 "2003-11-20T07:20:44Z")
Thank you **viking**! Not sure why I didn’t spot it on [enature.com](http://enature.com). Thought I’d scoured it well.
Now I can call it by “name” instead of calling it a “mystery waterfowl” when I go to the park. 😃
Kathy